Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where eating gluten (a type of protein found in wheat, rye, and barley) damages the small intestine. When this happens the villi (small fingerlike projections) in the small intestine shrink and flatten out, and are unable to absorb nutrients properly into the body.

You may have heard celiac disease being called coeliac disease, celiac sprue, non-tropical sprue, or gluten sensitive enteropathy.

Celiac disease runs in families and is most common in people from a northern European background. You have a higher risk if your parent, child or sibling has been diagnosed with celiac disease.

There are basically three ways patients with celiac disease may experience it:

Silent – Asymptomatic but have damage to their small intestine often better health after sticking to a strict gluten-free diet.

Infants and children often exhibit digestive symptoms such as:

Abdominal pain and bloating

Chronic diarrhea

Vomiting

Constipation

Weight loss

Fatigue

Pale, foul-smelling stools

Adults are less likely to have digestive symptoms and are more likely to have:

Iron deficiency anemia

Fatigue

Joint pain

Arthritis

Liver Disorders

Depression/Anxiety

Tingling, numbness or pain in the hands or feet

If you suffer from unexplained stubborn illness for several months, you should consider being screened for Celiac Disease, as currently it is estimated that 80% of the celiac population remains undiagnosed.

YORK ENDOSCOPY CENTER PHONE

Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is not to replace the advice of a medical professional. Medical procedures often carry risks & complications and should be discussed with your doctor.